If Vincent Had A Rocker

If Vincent Had A Rocker

6x6, soft pastel

This rocker has been in the family since my youngest brother was small...a good 45+ years ago...so I thought I'd paint it similar to Vincent Van Gogh's chair painting...just for fun.  I included his pipe and tobacco which were in his original painting (even though it seems a bit inappropriate given that my painting is of a child's chair).   Oh well.

A Walk To The River

A Walk To The River

6x6, soft pastel

Some paintings just don't work out and for me, this one didn't...holding back on color is like trying to jump rope with one hand free.  In any event, this one is a scene from Cascade along the Payette River.  If I get the inclination I'll revisit it later and calm it down...for now, it's "finished".   It was daVinci who said "art is never finished, only abandoned"....he was talking about this piece....lol.


For the #stradaeasel 31 Day Challenge I sketched this little abandoned farmhouse below.  The Challenge is a big stretch for me...even though I paint every day, I don't alway sketch in detail from life.  I typically complete a thumbnail sketch and then jump right in and paint.  So I'm tempted to sketch more often...I'm actually finding some value in making a detailed sketch.

Abandoned

Harry Needed To Chill Out

Harry Needed To Chill Out

8x6, soft pastel

This was a painting completed from life ahead of time since I'll be out of town and internet will be spotty.  A scene from our neighborhood.  Even though I live in Idaho...our subdivision was developed with a desert theme....many of the original cacti have died (no surprise there)...but the Joshua Trees keep hanging on. The fact that they survived last year's epic snowfall is amazing.  I call this little guy Harry.  He was a bit frosty this particular morning but still very beautiful.  I love the light green section at the top...as though he's ready to sprout new growth...you go Harry!

While traveling, I also completed this crazy little painting below of garlic.  Not my favorite painting for sure, but some days painting from life is like pulling teeth.  Day 15 of the #stradaeasel 31 Day Challenge.

Garlic

6x6, soft pastel

Cascade Fishing Spot

Cascade Fishing Spot

6x6, soft pastel

This is one of my favorite coves on Lake Cascade where we head each morning to fish during the summertime.  I love the way the sunlight hits the tips of the evergreens early in the day.   It's a painting from memory...can't wait for summer!

I did the painting above ahead of time since I am traveling and from memory but the image for the #stradaeasel 31 Day Challenge for today is below.  A one hour study while waiting for my grandson to finish basketball practice.  Wow, what a busy month!

Odessa, Washington

Edgar's Trees

Edgar's Trees

6x8, soft pastel

This is a take on Edgar Payne's Eucalyptus trees.  I like studying past artists that are inspirational and he certainly was, one of America's best landscape artists.

For the #stradaeasel 31 Day Challenge: I completed this little study below on the 13th looking outside the farmhouse window at sunrise...one of my favorite times of day.

Outside The Kitchen Window

6x8, soft pastel

Pond Ripples

Pond Ripples

12x12, soft pastel

A rainy day at the Botanical Gardens.  It wasn't feasible to paint in the rain that day so I took photos instead.  This one caught my eye because of all the ripples in the small pond.  I'm showing it on my easel because I'm jus not convinced that it's finished...so, for now I'll share it with you and assess it for the next few days, weeks, maybe months.   Ah, that's what happens sometimes.

For the #stradaeasel 31 Day Challenge, "Hanging Around The Spokane Airport"was created in the baggage check area...a great place to paint even though the subject matter was a bit odd.  This "toaster" plane was suspended from the ceiling and caught my eye with the florescent bulbs for the "toast" and "propeller".

Benny

Benny

10x8, soft pastel

A first try at our mini-goldendoodle Benny.  You can see his personality in his eyes...spunky and full of life.  He's now 8 months old and 34 lbs.  This isn't necessarily the best version of him...so I'm sure I'll try again sometime in the future...he only sat still for 2-3 minutes at a time so it's a fairly loose painting as a result.